American Beasley's blazing BMW 6-Series was found in Queen's Gardens in Glasgow's west end just after 11pm on Monday.

Police said they were treating it as wilful fireraising and were trying to trace the occupants of a white car seen in the area.

Beasley's BMW was parked outside his home when it was targeted, the Daily Record said.

United States international Beasley told the newspaper: "I don't know how to take it really. It's pretty crazy.

"If it is a Celtic-Rangers thing then it's obviously not good.

"It has shocked me - you don't expect to be targeted like this. But I'm not going to be too upset by it."

He told the newspaper that the incident had not really made him think twice about playing for Rangers.

On his social networking Twitter page, the footballer thanked well-wishers for their messages of support.

He wrote: "Thanks again for ALL the messages and kind words.. But yea I'm doin ok and in the market for a new car! Lol..Gotta try to find some humor" and "I'm doin ok, jus glad no one got hurt".

Strathclyde Police appealed for information about the incident, which also left a BMW 5-Series damaged by fire.

Detective Sergeant Sandy Johnston said: "I would appeal to anyone who was in the area of Queen's Gardens in Hyndland around 11pm on Monday night. In particular, I would like to trace the occupants of a white hatchback car which was seen in the area as they may have information that will assist this investigation."

Beasley, who joined Rangers in 2007, has played in two World Cups for the USA, in 2002 and 2006.

Before joining Rangers he played for PSV Eindhoven and also spent a season on loan at Manchester City.

A Rangers spokesman said: "This is a disturbing and deplorable incident and the club will do everything we can to assist the police with their investigations."

2010-02-04T08:58:00Margaret HodgeMARGARET HODGE: The BNP tap into people's frustrations on immigrationCurrently Not ImplementedMARGARET HODGE: The BNP tap into people's frustrations on immigrationMargaret Hodge'The BNP tap into people’s frustrations': Margaret Hodge on her plans to introduce a points system for immigrants In 2007, I was criticised from across the political spectrum for saying I thought recently arrived economic migrants' rights cannot come before people who were born or lived here for many years. I said it then and I’m saying it again: we need to have an honest conversation about what’s really going on in our working class communities.It's no wonder politicians duck this argument. The very mention of the word immigration causes controversy and the whole debate is often seen through the prism of racism. The result is parties like the BNP tap into people’s frustrations and that’s why we’ve seen a rise in support for them.&nbsp; It’s not because people like what the BNP stand for - in fact people are repulsed by Nick Griffin’s views on the Holocaust and his sympathy with the Nazis.As politicians we need to be much braver and draw a distinction between immigration and fair access to public services, particularly housing. I stress here that I’m not talking about refugees, who come to this country fleeing persecution. But the need to treat refugees fairly should not prevent us from having the debate about immigration in the context of fairness to the people who have lived in and contributed to the affected communities.Alan Johnson was right when he said any rational debate on immigration had to recognise that there were communities disproportionately affected by immigration, where people had legitimate concerns about the strain that the growth in the local population had placed on jobs and services. Barking and Dagenham is one of these communities.Last time I raised this issue, my mailbag and inbox was overwhelmed with messages of support from everyday people, including people who worked in housing and public services, urging me to continue to raise the issue. It was clear to me that people living in communities which are disproportionately affected feel that nobody is on their side seeking fairness in the system for them.In the same way that we feel comfortable in talking about cracking down on people playing the system, we should also feel comfortable in talking about prioritising the needs of people who have lived in an area all of their lives&nbsp; At the moment we have the worst of both worlds. The issue is so controversial that we avoid talking about it or attack those who do. Because there is no good hard data on what actually happens, we areleft with anecdotal evidence indicating there is a problem. Peoplebelieve rightly or wrongly that others are getting the housing beforethey do. The result is people feel resentful about what they see as aninjustice in the system and the BNP and other right wing parties seekto turn this resentment into popular support for them.But it’s not just debate that is needed.&nbsp; Yes the first step is toacknowledge there is a problem.&nbsp;&nbsp; We need to build up the evidence sothat we really understand what’s actually going on in communities likeBarking and Dagenham. And most importantly we need new policies that tackle the issues.&nbsp; Of course we need to build more houses and it’s fantastic that this Government has started building council houses once again, but there won’t be a return to the 1960s and 70s when we saw mass building of council houses.The Government review currently underway has the policy objective of limiting access to services to migrants considered to have "earned the right" to them.&nbsp; All politicians in all mainstream parties need to show leadership and explain how this can work across each of the key public services. I think we need to be radical in our thinking and look at drawing up a point system based on length of residence, citizenship or national insurance contributions which ensures that economic migrants can only access social housing and key benefits when they have paid into the system. &nbsp;This isn’t about race, it’s about having a transparent system which people understand and which is fair.&nbsp; It is about ensuring that if you put something into the system you get something out of the system. It’s about people who play by the rules knowing where they stand and what they are entitled to as a result of what they contribute. It’s about giving people in communities like Barking and Dagenham a voice and real solutions to their problems. &nbsp; 2010-02-04T08:55:00Eliza ScarboroughThe perfect outfit for... The school run
Currently Not ImplementedThe perfect outfit for... The school run
Eliza ScarboroughThe perfect outfit for... The school run &nbsp;Wardrobe essentials: The perfect school run lookNAUTICAL A cropped coat is an ideal wardrobe staple which you can use year round as a cover-up.Navy jacket, Â£59.50, marksandspencer.comVelvet stripe top, Â£85, trilogystores.co.uk Piazza Sempione trousers, Â£245, Fenwick: 020 7629 9161ROOMY BAG Carry all your necessities around in a neat but roomy tote which will complement the outfit perfectlyPicton bag, Â£245, reiss.co.uk&nbsp; ACCESSORIES Carry through the nautical trend with these chain detail flat pumps Pumps, Â£25, asos.com Finish the look with this chunky brushed gold cuffKenneth Jay Lane cuff, Â£80, net-a-porter.com Nautical details: Chain detail pumps, a roomy bag and chunky cuff are all you need 2010-02-04T08:47:00Carol Vorderman Mumnesia: Carol Vorderman investigates scientists claims that pregnancy does not turn women's brains into 'mush'Currently Not ImplementedMumnesia: Carol Vorderman investigates scientists claims that pregnancy does not turn women's brains into 'mush'Carol Vorderman She put the iron in the freezer and ketchup on her scones - even Countdown suffered. So how, asks CAROLVORDERMAN, can scientists say pregnancy doesn't turn our brains to mush? Most people know that I love a bit of science as much as the next geek, but I think Professor Christensen at the Centre for Mental Health Research in Canberra, who this week claimed that 'women's brains do not turn to mush when they become pregnant' (technical talk obviously), must be pitching for his own slot in the Pregnant Woman's Jokebook. You know the publication. Q: Does pregnancy affect a woman's memory? A: Most of the ladies I asked don't remember. Apparently, Professor Christensen'steam interviewed 2,500 young people aged 20 to 24 in 1999, and theninterviewed them all again in 2003 and 2007, and concluded that neitherpregnancy nor motherhood had a detrimental effect on cognitive capacity(the amount, and speed, of thinking our brain can do). 'Our research suggeststhat although women think there may be a link between brain capacityand pregnancy and motherhood, there are certainly no permanent onesthat we can find.' But if, as the good Professor says, 'mumnesia' comes from the world of science fiction, what happened to me at the age of 31? This was a time when, during my firstpregnancy, I would happily put the iron safely back into the freezerbefore going to bed, offer tomato sauce to go with your scone andclotted cream and carry the towels up and down the stairs three timesbefore I could actually remember what I was meant to do with them.The year was 1992, and the world has spun ever faster on its axis since that moment. I was a round-faced maths bird who spent most days eagerly counting down on a daytime quiz show. Competitive with numberssince the age of three, I prided myself on being blisteringly hot atarithmetic. I was utterly obsessed with scorelines on the numbers gameson Countdown. It was my job to solve the numberpuzzles at the same time as the contestants attempted to. I wouldrecord how fast I could come up with the solution, and put specialmarks in my shorthand notebook for posterity. The show worked bypitting the contestants against the clock - but I would often find theanswer before the clock even started (more than 50 per cent of thegames) and I would put a little asterisk in my book. But God forbid, therare times when I didn't get the answer within the 30 seconds - I wouldhave to register a big fat X in my notebook. I have notebooks full of this stuff going back years and no one but me has ever been remotely interested in it. However, it was accurate and my score for getting the answer spot-on within the 30 seconds ran at 97 per cent. Yee ha. Then came the 'bun in the oven' and it all changed. I was sick and tired of being, well, sick and tired. I was pregnant from my knees to my third chin and it took over my life. The comments about 'how you're glowing' were reserved for other pregnant beings. No, the best I got from the security guards in Leeds was: 'Hey Vorders, you don't look as rough as you did yesterday.' What joy. Richard Whiteley and I used to record six or seven shows a day - back then, Countdown was just 30 minutes long and I carried on marking my scores down into my notebook during pregnancy. We had to record so far ahead in the diary that I was pregnant on screen for about 13 months and Terry Wogan said every morning that surely I must have given birth to an entire chess team by now. By the end of the first 'pregnant series', my 'getting the numbers target spot-on in 30 seconds' score had dropped from 97 per cent to just 93 per cent. I was horrified. I hoped that to the outside world it seemed like a marginal discrepancy but I knew something had changed and I had the proof. My brain was being mashed by this little being within me. But my evidence seems to fly in the face of Professor Christensen's new research. So I have investigated what other evidence might support my theory - and sure enough, it's there. (One of the great things with science is that just when one piece of research comes along, another might pass by that says more or less the opposite.) A study in 2002 from Hammersmith Hospital, in London, reported that brain scans of pregnant women (not interviews with young people as with the Australian research) showed a 4 per cent decline in brain size between pre-pregnancy and during pregnancy - exactly the same decrease as in my scoreline. My cells had shrivelled up. My cytoplasmic matter had been vaporised. Proof. And there's a lot more to back it up. Late in 2008, Professor Kinsley of the University of Richmond, Virginia, also confirmed mumnesia. He went further to say: 'Women's brains are being remodelled for motherhood to cope with the many new demands they will experience. 'These changes could then last for the rest of the woman's life, bolstering cognitive abilities and protecting them from degenerative diseases.' And the final proof? Professor Kinsley compared the brains of mother rats with non-mother rats, and he found physical changes had taken place during pregnancy which supported his observational data. It showed that mothers become much braver, are up to five times faster at finding food (don't we know that one, particularly in the biscuit barrel) and have better spatial awareness than those without offspring (that's the bit where you don't even need to be looking at your child and still say 'don't touch that, I know what you're doing' and you'd be right). So break open the Calpol and hang the bunting on the buggy - our brains do change when we're pregnant, and in a quite magnificent way. 2010-02-04T08:44:00Jane FryerCarrying a plank in public? You're nicked! The little-known laws that are so daft they're almost criminal Currently Not ImplementedCarrying a plank in public? You're nicked! The little-known laws that are so daft they're almost criminal Jane FryerCarrying a plank in public? You're nicked! The little-known laws that are so daft they're almost criminal You may not have robbed a bank, but thanks to some silly rules that still languish on Britain's statute books, you might find you're a regular law-breaker. Here, JANE FRYER reveals some of the daftest... RUFF JUSTICE Thanks to a law enacted by Edward VI, between 1547 and 1553, it's illegal to stand sockless within 100 yards of the Queen. Also, make sure you keep your dogs on a tight leash when in barking distance of the Queen and her beloved corgis. As the result of a law passed by George I during his reign (1714-1727): 'The severest penalties will be suffered by any commoner who doth permit his animal to have carnal knowledge of a pet of the Royal House.' CARPET CRIME Spring cleaning can put you on the wrong side of the law, particularly if you're the sort who likes to take a dusty carpet out into the street for a good beating. Section 60 (3) of the Metropolitan Police Act, 1829, makes it an offence in London to beat your carpet in the street, attracting a Â£200 fine - unless beating takes place before 8am. It was all part of an attempt to clear up the dirty London streets.SHELL SUIT Thanks again to Henry VIII's son Edward VI, anyone found breaking a boiled egg at the sharp end could be sentenced to 24 hours in the village stocks. Some say the King made the order because he was fastidious about etiquette. PUBLIC INCONVENIENCE All those who live south of the border, count your blessings. In Scotland, if someone comes knocking on your door who's bursting for the loo, you're required by law to direct them to your facilities. It's also legal for a pregnant lady to relieve herself anywhere she fancies - even in a policeman's helmet. North of the border, it is also legal for a male to pee in public, as long as it is on the rear wheel of his motor vehicle and his right hand is placed firmly on the vehicle at the time. KILLJOYS Flying a kite, sliding on ice, slipping on snow or pretty much everything that's fun is forbidden by Section 54 of the Metropolitan Police Act, 1939, if it's done in any street or thoroughfare and annoys anyone who lives there or is passing through. Offenders could face a Â£1,000 fine or 14 days imprisonment. WHALE-BREAK Beware all beachcombers. If you stumble upon a dead whale at low tide, do not take it home with you. Because the Royal Prerogative 1324 (officially called the Prerogativa Regis), states the head of any dead whale or sturgeon found on the British coast automatically becomes the property of the King (if there is one) and the tail belongs to the Queen. It dates to Edward II (1307-1327). According to old English judge William Blackstone, the aim was to 'furnish the Queen's wardrobe with whalebone' and fashion those new royal corsets. DANGEROUS DIY If you're planning some DIY and you live in London, don't even think of walking home from the shop clutching a new plank of wood. Because thanks to another antiquated law, while it's fine to load planks straight into your waiting car, it's an offence (maximum Â£500 fine) to carry a plank across a pavement. It is also against the law to 'roll or carry any cask, tub, hoop or wheel, or any ladder, plank, pole, showboard, or placard, upon any footway, except for the purpose of loading or unloading any cart or carriage, or of crossing the footway'. SCOT FREE According to ancient statute, it is legal to murder a Scotsman within the ancient city walls of York, but only if he is carrying a bow and arrow at the time. And it's not a Sunday. It is also high risk for Welshmen to visit Hereford on a Sunday, where it's legal to shoot the Welsh all day, provided it takes place with longbows. EWE BEEN HAD Life's a joy if you're a Freeman of London. Not only are you permitted to drive a flock of sheep across London Bridge, you can also herd a gaggle of geese down Cheapside. Even better, you can get as drunk and disorderly as you like without being arrested. This is according to The Freedom of the City of London, an old book of traditional ceremonies and privileges first presented in 1237. It is still a title taken up by 1,800 people every year. COMMONS LAW Thanks to a law created by Edward II in 1313 - known as the Coming Armed to Parliament Act - it is illegal to enter the Houses of Parliament wearing a suit of armour. It's also illegal to drop dead in Parliament, according to the 1887 Coroners Act, which was 're-enacted' by the 1988 Coroners Act. Some experts argue it's a misunderstanding and the law actually says that if anyone dies in 'the limits of any of the Queen's palaces' - of which Parliament is one - then a special inquest has to be carried out by the Queen's Coroner. SHORT-CHANGED If you're caught at a supermarket checkout without enough cash, don't, whatever you do, ask to borrow money from a stranger. Because while you may not feel like a beggar, you'll be classed as one under the Vagrancy Act 1824. This all came about to deal with the huge numbers of veterans and Irish and Scottish migrants who flooded to London in search of work after the Napoleonic Wars. FESTIVE FELONY It is illegal to eat mince pies anywhere in England on Christmas Day. Oliver Cromwell considered pies a forbidden pagan pleasure and on December 22, 1657, his Puritan Council banned consumption of mince pies on Christmas Day. CARRIED AWAY Ever hailed a black cab as it speeds towards you, with its yellow 'for hire' light beaming like a beacon on a dark night? Well, you're a criminal. For according to the strict letter of the 1843 London Hackney Carriage Act, London cabbies are allowed to seek custom only when they're stationary. Thankfully, the police have come to an ' understanding' with cabbies that allows them to flout this law. Incidentally, under the same legislation, taxi drivers are also required to ask all passengers if they have the plague.2010-02-04T08:41:07.103ReutersHugh Osmond raises £417.7m in Horizon IPOCurrently Not ImplementedHugh Osmond raises £417.7m in Horizon IPOReuters

Mr Osmond set up Horizon Acquisition together with the former deputy chief executive of Lloyds TSB Michael Fairey and plans to use funds raised in the IPO to invest in heavily-indebted companies in the consumer sector and restructure them.

The company aims to buy a British business with an enterprise value of between £1bn and £3bn, though money raised in the IPO was towards the bottom of an expected range of £400m-£500m.

Credit Suisse was bookrunner for the deal and brokerage Numis was the deal's manager.

Horizon shares, offered at £10 each, opened flat in their market debut.

The performance of similar IPOs has been mixed. Better Capital and Max Property Group have seen their shares rise about 7pc and 15pc, respectively, since their London listing last year. But Resolution, which raised £660m in late 2008 to consolidate financial services companies, has seen its shares trade at a 20pc discount to its float price.

2010-02-04T08:41:00Kate Loveys Portsmouth manager Avram Grant may face police quiz in brothel inquiryCurrently Not ImplementedPortsmouth manager Avram Grant may face police quiz in brothel inquiryKate Loveys Portsmouth manager Avram Grant may face police quiz in brothel inquiry Portsmouth manager Avram Grant could be questioned by vice squad officers after he was pictured leaving a 'massage parlour', it emerged last night. Grant has come to the attention of police after they launched an investigation into a brothel where prostitutes charge Â£130 for intercourse. The married father of two, formerly in charge at Chelsea, was pictured by The Sun entering and leaving the building on a shabby industrial estate near his club's training ground, before clambering into a chauffeur-driven car. Although Grant is said to have freely admitted that heknew it was a brothel, the newspaper was unable to reveal his identitylast year, citing 'creeping privacy laws'. At the time football fans' websites were flooded withspeculation about his identity, with many accurately naming 54-year-old Grant andhis club within hours of the story breaking. In recent weeks his name has been widely circulated on theinternet, with more than 10,000 references to the brothel visit onvarious websites. His identity has now been revealed by the Daily Telegraph after police sources confirmed that they were pursuing an active investigation into the brothel.&nbsp;Police told the newspaper that they will be speaking to clients ofthe brothel, any of whom could be called as witnesses if the inquiryresults in a prosecution of anyone alleged to be living off immoralearnings. A source close to the investigation said: 'We want to speak to people who have been there, to clients who might be potential witnesses.' In recent months there have been a number of cases in which wealthy and famous individuals have successfully used the Human Rights Act to gag the media. MPs and lawyers have protested against the march of privacy laws, saying they have become an intolerable burden on freedom of speech and are winning Britain an international reputation for censorship and suppression of information. However, last week's landmark ruling by Mr Justice Tugendhat to revoke a 'super-injunction' granted to England captain John Terry has swung the pendulum back in favour of freedom of speech, say legal experts. Of the brothel investigation, a spokesman for Hampshire Police said: 'We are aware of certain allegations that have been made in connection with that location.'There is nothing to evidence the allegations at the moment.' Israeli-born Grant, who used to manage Chelsea, allegedly declined to answer questions about the brothel visit which were put to him via his solicitor this week. The brothel is a short drive from Portsmouth's training ground in Eastleigh, Hampshire, and is housed in an industrial unit in the village of Horton Heath. Grant's trip to the brothel was said to be his second following an hour-long visit in October. Prostitution is not against the law in the UK, nor is using the services of a prostitute in a private place, but keeping a brothel is illegal under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, and carries a maximum prison sentence of seven years. 2010-02-04T08:40:25By Carola Hoyos, Chief Energy CorrespondentShell to shed 1,000 more jobs as profits fall 75%Currently Not ImplementedShell to shed 1,000 more jobs as profits fall 75%By Carola Hoyos, Chief Energy Correspondent

Royal Dutch Shell, the Anglo-Dutch energy group, on Thursday said it would cut significantly its refining and marketing business this year as it predicted the economy would not make a quick recovery.

The company said it would cut 560,000 barrels a day - 15 per cent of its refining capacity - and shed a further 1,000 jobs in that part of its business in order to create savings of another $1bn.

The cuts came as Shell announced its adjusted net profit in the fourth quarter of last year fell 75 per cent from a year earlier, to $1.18bn. Downstream results, also on a current cost of supply measure, showed a loss of $1.76bn compared with earnings of $561m in the fourth quarter of 2008. They included a net charge of $1.3bn.

Shell shed 5,000 jobs in 2009 and cut costs by more than $2bn. Last year it sold $1.2bn worth of downstream assets, bringing the five-year total to $11bn. It has announced it will shut its Montreal refinery and is in the process of selling refineries in the UK and Germany.

"Downstream [refining and marketing] is facing some tough times," Shell said in a statement. "There is a significant overhang of industry refining capacity, exacerbated by the economic downturn. That's why we have initiatives under way to refocus Shell's downstream footprint into fewer, more profitable markets with growth potential, through disposals and selective growth investment."

Many of Shell's competitors are also shedding their downstream assets. Statoil of Norway, for example, said on Wednesday it would spin off its entire retail operations.

In the past 10 years Shell has cut its retail network by 29.8 per cent, according to PFC Energy, the industry consultants.

2010-02-04T08:40:00Daniel MartinThe dementia timebomb: Britain will soon have one million victims costing Â£23billion a year
Currently Not ImplementedThe dementia timebomb: Britain will soon have one million victims costing Â£23billion a year
Daniel MartinThe dementia timebomb: Britain will soon have one million victims costing Â£23billion a yearConstant care: Dementia patients each cost the UK Â£27,647 a year - five times more than cancer (posed by models)One million Britons will be victims of dementia within 15 years, according to a shocking report. The astounding toll of Alzheimer's disease and similar conditions is much higher than expected and will put huge strain on the health service over the coming decades unless a cure is found. Already the knock-on effects of dementia cost the British economy twice as much as cancer. However, for every Â£1 spent on cancer research, only 8p is spent on dementia. The study by Oxford University and the Alzheimer's Research Trust found that the total cost to the economy of dementia&nbsp; -&nbsp; Â£23billion&nbsp; -&nbsp; far exceeds the Â£12billion total for cancer and Â£8billion for heart disease, even though these diseases attract more funding. The huge bill is made up of NHS and social care costs, and around half of it refers to the unpaid care that family members have to provide. To make things worse, the number of patients is much higher than thought&nbsp; -&nbsp; at 822,000, with the total expected to surge past a million by 2025. It means that each dementia patient costs the economy Â£27,647 per year&nbsp; -&nbsp; more than the average salary. A cancer patient costs five times less. The report, Dementia 2010, said that hundreds of thousands ofdementia sufferers were not receiving any help fromthe NHS because GPswere not well-enough trained to spot signs of the condition. Only a third of victims are known to the NHS&nbsp; -&nbsp; meaning they are suffering unnecessarily. The study warns that as long as research remains 'severelyunderfunded', treatments and cures for the condition will remainelusive. WHAT IS DEMENTIA?Dementia is a syndrome that is characterised by an ongoing decline of the brain and its abilities. It is usually caused by damage to the structure of the brain and can cause both memory loss and personality changes. It usually affects people over 65. The number living with the condition is expected to double in the next 30 years due to an ageing population.In most cases, there is no cure and symptoms will get worse over time. However, there are treatments that can help patients cope better with their symptoms.For every Â£1 spent by the government and charities on dementiaresearch, Â£12 goes on cancer research and Â£3 on heart disease.Ministers have promised to increase research funds for Alzheimer's&nbsp; -&nbsp;but last year the amount fell.&nbsp;Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the trust, said: 'The true impactof dementia has been ignored for too long. The UK's dementia crisis isworse than we feared. This report shows that dementia is the greatestmedical challenge of the 21st century. 'If we spend a more proportionate sum on dementia research, we couldunleash the full potential of our scientists in their race for a cure.Spending millions now really can save us crippling multi-billion poundcare bills later.' According to the report, which was prepared with experts from OxfordUniversity, each dementia patient costs the economy Â£27,647 each year. &nbsp; The expense is driven mainly by the extent of unpaid carers andlong-term institutional care&nbsp; -&nbsp; in contrast to cancer and heartdisease whose costs are mainly taken care of by the NHS. Big differences in research funding were also revealed in the study. At Â£590million a year, cancer research funding is nearly 12 timesthe Â£50million devoted to dementia, while heart disease received morethan three times as much. Only stroke research received less. The report calculated that Â£295 is spent on research for everyperson with cancer, compared with just Â£61 for each person withdementia.&nbsp;Alastair Gray, professor of health economics at Oxford Universityand report author, contrasted the perception of the disease with cancer.He said: 'Many of us know people-who have had cancer or heartdisease but have been successfully treated and survived, so there is aperception that something can be done, and that more research willallow even more to be done. 'In contrast there are no cures for dementia at present; there arenot even many ways of delaying it or slowing it down, so there may wellbe a feeling of inevitability surrounding it. 'However the lack of effective treatments is surely an argument for devoting more effort to research, not less.' The report also documents a ' diagnosis gap', between the expectednumber of people with dementia and the number of patients with dementiaon GP registers. In England, it is estimated only 31 per cent of those with dementiaare registered on GP lists. Reasons for the low rate include GPs' lackof training and low confidence in diagnosing dementia. Health minister Phil Hope told BBC Radio 4's Today programme:&nbsp; 'Iwant to see a step- change increase in the volume, the quality and theimpact of dementia research going forward. 'We have identified the importance of research in the dementiastrategy I published last year. We convened a dementia summit bringingtogether the top researchers from across the country and abroad.' Tory health spokesman Stephen O'Brien said: 'Labour ministers havebeen strongly criticised for their failure to tackle the growingproblem of dementia. 'Not only have they failed current sufferers, their lack of spendingon research is failing future sufferers and their loved ones. 'Conservatives have committed to increasing the public researchbudget for dementia, to tackle the problem at its source, as well asbringing changes to NICE to encourage more private sector research.' 2010-02-04T08:36:00Lorraine CandyLORRAINE CANDY: I still blush about pulling my toddler's knickers out of my bag at a board meeting
Currently Not ImplementedLORRAINE CANDY: I still blush about pulling my toddler's knickers out of my bag at a board meeting
Lorraine CandyI still blush about pulling my toddler's knickers out of my bag at a board meeting As Editor-in-Chief of fashion magazine Elle and a mum to three young children, Lorraine Candy's life is a chronic juggling act. In her weekly column, she reveals what life is really like for working mothers. Lorraine lives in North London with her husband James, an IT specialist.Any mother who chooses to work is instantly drawn to a headline that features other working mums. It's like slowing down as you pass a car crash - you don't really want to see anything bad, but you just can't look away. You need to know. It's a form of parental rubbernecking.Why? You need to know whether she's got a better (ie. more guilt-free) system than yours. You're either a) hoping to squeeze nuggets of wisdom out of her dayand apply them to yours, or b) hoping she, too, is hopelesslydisorganised and you can feel less of a failure about the fact youryoungest won't go through the night nappy-free (just an example). Sothis week when I spotted the words 'working mother-of-six' in aninterview, they leapt out at me like a carbohydrate in a fashionista'sJanuary lunch box. A mum with six children who works full-time? Two sets of twins? This I've got to read. Divorcee Alice Walpole is our woman in Basra, the HM Consul-General in Southern Iraq. Super-organised.Super-smart. Not the sort of woman to go to the supermarket in her PJs(or her slippers, which we've all done, right?), even before Tescobanned it. 'I don't really differentiate between home stuff and work stuff,' she said in the interview. 'So in a meeting I will discreetly sew on school name tapes if that's what needs to be done.&nbsp;'Peopleask if I find it hard moving between the two lives, but I don't thinkto myself: "They are thousands of miles away." I just think: "They arenot in the room with me."' This week, as I tried to buy arecorder online while simultaneously preparing for a budgetpresentation, I wondered if Alice's 'one life' approach was a new wayof thinking?&nbsp;Would that work better than the two lives occasionally colliding,sometimes repelling, or more often than not chaotically intermingling?(I still wake up blushing about the time I pulled a spare pair of myfour-year-old's knickers out of my handbag during a board meeting. Orthe day I arrived at work with a yellow Post-it saying 'Mummy is 40' onthe back of my coat.) Walpole admits she doesn't feelguilty about leaving her kids in boarding schools here while she works.She says she's showing her children 'how fantastically interesting lifeis'. Six children is the frontline of parenting: it's an extreme version of what the rest of us do with our average two or three. Whether you agree with it or not, Walpole's way shows emotionalbravery. She resists questioning it too deeply because, as she says,it's not about her - it's about the children and whether they are happyor not. They appear to be fine. Her way wouldn't work for me: too much work, not enough children. Some of you are probably horrified by her choices, many of you tell meyou're mystified by mine. (I notice that in castigating mums who chooseto work, the critics often patronise mums who need to work by assumingthey all hate their jobs.) Every time a working mother reads an interview like this, it makes you question your routine. WHO KNEW?Celebrities with six children include Dustin Hoffman, Bruce Forsyth, Jack Nicholson and, of course, Brad Pitt and Angelina JolieMine held up under scrutiny. Maybe it's the new one-life approach.Or maybe it was the new wallplanner I got from Amazon. It's so big itmeans we don't have to re-paint the wall the toddler decorated with amarker pen (the indelible one I used to write those damnedstick-on-but-fall-off-ten-minutes-later name-tags). On the wall next to the gigantisaurus wallplanner is a certificatemy eldest brought home from school. 'Pupil of the week,' it says. Now, I put little store by academic qualifications (having none myself), but this cheered me up. Often, as a working mum, when they 'fail' at something or seem upsetby a playground tiff, you are apt to mumble illogically: 'It's becauseI work. Dammit, she'd be the next Vanessa Mae if I didn't have a job.' When they do well and have little highlights in the school day, likethis certificate, you breathe a sigh of relief. She's happy, she'sdoing well. I am not a bad mother. Phew. But maybe, as our little mimic Gracie-in-the-middle is apt to saynow that she has managed to get Ivana Trump's accent right: 'Vat villbe vill be.' 2010-02-04T08:35:36By James Wilson in FrankfurtInvestment banking boost for Deutsche BankCurrently Not ImplementedInvestment banking boost for Deutsche BankBy James Wilson in Frankfurt

Josef Ackermann, chief executive, said there was a "clear trend to recovery and stabilisation of financial markets" but that it would still take time to work through the effects of the crisis.

Deutsche Bank's fourth-quarter net income of €1.3bn surpassed expectations in spite of a quarter-on-quarter decline in sales and trading revenues, but was influenced by a tax benefit of €554m, mainly the result of recognition of deferred tax assets in the US.

The bank also took a €225m charge in the quarter for the presumed costs of the UK "supertax" on bankers' bonuses, which has been announced but not yet introduced.

Deutsche Bank also followed US investment banks in announcing a relatively low compensation ratio, a partial indication of the size of bonuses it has been paying. The compensation ratio was 40 per cent in 2009, Deutsche Bank said, substantially down on more than 70 per cent last year and also lower than before the crisis.

The bank has started to pay more bonuses over several years, in line with an agreement with Germany's bank supervisor that anticipates international pay measures. Without the effect of severance payments and the UK bonus tax, the ratio would have been 37 per cent, Deutsche Bank said. Mr Ackermann had said the bank would spread the burden of the planned UK tax across the bank to avoid it falling only on UK employees.

The annual results include pre-tax profits of €3.5bn from Deutsche Bank's corporate banking and securities division, including its investment banking, advisory and trading businesses, which last year lost €8.5bn. Annual revenues were €16.2bn, after writedowns of €925m.

A number of Deutsche's other businesses, including retail and corporate banking, asset and wealth management showed a subdued performance with annual revenues lower than in 2008.

Anticipating regulatory changes that will force banks to hold more capital, Deutsche Bank boosted tier one capital ratio, a key measure of balance sheet strength, to a high of 12.6 per cent - compared with less than 9 per cent before the financial crisis.

The "core" tier one ratio, excluding so-called hybrid capital that regulators are viewing with increasing reservations, stood at 8.7 per cent.

Provisions for the quarter rose slightly compared with the third quarter to €560m.

In 2008 the bank made its worst-ever net loss of €3.9bn, including a loss of €4.8bn in the fourth quarter when the financial market crisis was at its height after the collapse of Lehman Brothers.

Mr Ackermann said then that the crisis had exposed weaknesses at the bank, which shut down most of its proprietary trading operations. But in December he announced a target of €10bn for annual pre-tax profits from operations by 2011.

In a statement on Thursday he said: "Deutsche Bank achieved a great deal in 2009. We delivered very substantial profitability, while simultaneously reducing risk and balance sheet leverage. We used these good results to bolster our capital base, and our capital ratios are stronger than ever.

"We also took decisive strategic action in 2009. We re-positioned core businesses, and widened our scope for profitable growth, both by organic investments and via targeted acquisitions."

Earnings per share were €7.59 in 2009 compared with a loss per share of €7.61 in 2008 while Deutsche Bank expects to pay a dividend of 75 cents, compared with 50 cents in 2008.

2010-02-04T08:34:11New snow alert - but no big freezeCurrently Not ImplementedNew snow alert - but no big freeze<img src='http://images.dailystar-uk.co.uk/dynamic/79/285x214/120569_1.jpg' /><br /><br />Motorists in parts of the UK have faced dangerous driving conditions after earlier snowfalls iced over.<br /><br />Areas of northern England and Scotland saw up to 2in (5cm) of snow settle - with plummeting temperatures overnight causing widespread icy surfaces.<br /><br />But forecasters said this was not the beginning of a new big freeze and a return to clear skies and no further blizzards are expected.<br /><br />Parts of north Yorkshire and Lancashire saw some of the heaviest blizzards on Wednesday, with the North East also affected.<br /><br />After sub-zero temperatures in those areas, a Met Office spokesman said: &quot;The main threat will be from the freezing of the snow which will be lying on some road surfaces.<br /><br />&quot;Freezing snow, ice and frost will be widespread.&quot;<br /><br />The Highways Agency said the snow had caused no road closures.<br /><br />A spokesman said: &quot;We are keeping an eye on things and are ready to react to any threat as necessary but it would appear the snow has had no impact on the strategic road network.&quot;<br />2010-02-04T08:34:112010-02-04T08:34:06New snow alert - but no big freezeCurrently Not ImplementedNew snow alert - but no big freeze<img src='http://images.dailyexpress.co.uk/img/dynamic/1/285x214/156191_1.jpg' /><br /><br />Motorists in parts of the UK have faced dangerous driving conditions after earlier snowfalls iced over.<br /><br />Areas of northern England and Scotland saw up to 2in (5cm) of snow settle - with plummeting temperatures overnight causing widespread icy surfaces.<br /><br />But forecasters said this was not the beginning of a new big freeze and a return to clear skies and no further blizzards are expected.<br /><br />Parts of north Yorkshire and Lancashire saw some of the heaviest blizzards on Wednesday, with the North East also affected.<br /><br />After sub-zero temperatures in those areas, a Met Office spokesman said: &quot;The main threat will be from the freezing of the snow which will be lying on some road surfaces.<br /><br />&quot;Freezing snow, ice and frost will be widespread.&quot;<br /><br />The Highways Agency said the snow had caused no road closures.<br /><br />A spokesman said: &quot;We are keeping an eye on things and are ready to react to any threat as necessary but it would appear the snow has had no impact on the strategic road network.&quot;<br />2010-02-04T08:34:062010-02-04T08:33:21Danny FulbrookCAPELLO TO DECIDE ON TERRY'S FUTURECurrently Not ImplementedCAPELLO TO DECIDE ON TERRY'S FUTUREDanny Fulbrook<img src='http://images.dailystar-uk.co.uk/dynamic/58/285x214/120551_1.jpg' /><br /><br />KINGMAKER Fabio Capello flies into the country today to decide John Terry's fate as England captain. <br /><br /> The two are prepared for showdown talks over the impact of the Terrygate scandal. <br> <br> It is believed Capello will give Terry the opportunity to do the honourable thing and resign as the Three Lions skipper. <br> <br> But at the moment the Italian is still unsure whether he will actually force the Chelsea defender out of the role. <br> <br> Terry's camp yesterday confirmed that resigning as captain is still a possibility, but the player wants to talk to Capello before making a decision. <br> <br> The England manager will also discuss the whole messy affair with Wayne Bridge. <br> <br> Capello and Terry are keen to meet up as early as possible, which could be today given that Terry is preparing for a crucial game against Arsenal on Sunday. <br> <br> The England boss will travel to Warsaw on Saturday for the draw for the qualifying stages of Euro 2012. The FA would ideally like an announcement to be made about Terry's future before Capello sets off on that trip. <br> <br> But there are also major concerns at FA headquarters that even more seedy stories will emerge over the next few days. <br> <br> Terry has a lot of backing from the England squad, who are only interested in winning the World Cup this summer. <br> <br> But Capello will have to take into account whether this sex scandal will overshadow his tournament preparations. <br> <br> Chelsea have stood by Terry, and boss Carlo Ancelotti revealed after Tuesday's game at Hull that his skipper would be given time off for a holiday the weekend after next if he needed it. <br> <br> Capello will also hold further talks with FA chairman Lord Triesman before making a decision. If Terry does decide to offer Capello his resignation, it will be accepted. <br> <br> Terry's spokesman Phil Hall said: "John asked me to make it clear that he has made absolutely no statement about his future as England captain. <br> <br> "He is keeping his own counsel until he speaks to the England manager and then Mr Capello will decide what announcement will be made." <!-- 1265249454.08--><!-- 1265272398.8--> 2010-02-04T08:33:212010-02-04T08:30:49.117Real Madrid accuse Manchester City of being 'unprepared' for failing to sign Fernando GagoCurrently Not ImplementedReal Madrid accuse Manchester City of being 'unprepared' for failing to sign Fernando Gago

City moved in for Gago after their attempt to bring McDonald Mariga from Parma broke down and he joined Inter Milan instead.

According to Michael Peppiatt, the biographer of Francis Bacon, who is now writing a major book on Giacometti, “he stands out in the 20th century as the artist who reconnected art to the great traditions of the Egyptians and other ancient civilisations, capturing the precariousness of man’s existence, the nobility and vulnerability of the human condition, which is what all great art is fundamentally about.”

Always one of the most expensive modern artists, Giacometti appeals to collectors of modern and contemporary art.

Before Wednesday night, his auction record stood at 27.5 million dollars.

Last November, another sculpture, ‘Falling Man’, easily beat its 12 million dollar estimate in New York, selling for 18 million dollars. The added appeal of ‘Walking Man’ was that it was a rare lifetime cast of one the artist’s most admired works.

Before the sale, everyone in the art trade knew it was going to fetch a huge price; it was just a question of how much.

The American art dealer, Larry Gagosian, who handles the Giacometti estate, was known to have another cast of the same sculpture priced at 45 million dollars.

Even before the bidding was officially opened, hands were going up in the air. Bidding then leapt from 9 million pounds to 12 million pounds in one go.

As it reached its pre-sale high estimate of 18 million pounds there were six bidders battling it out – mostly over the phone through Sotheby’s representatives.

One dealer in the room, London based Ezra Nahmad, dropped out at 26 million pounds, and left it to Philip Hook, Sotheby’s London based specialist and William Ruprecht, Sotheby’s President and Chief Executive Officer based in New York, to slug it out until Hook’s bidder was finally victorious.

Sotheby’s was not saying who the buyer was.

2010-02-04T08:30:14.32The future sound of musicCurrently Not ImplementedThe future sound of music

Despite the rapid evolution of music media in the past 30 years, from vinyl to MP3s, the industry is acutely aware that the way we listen to music has hardly changed – it has remained a passive process, allowing little interactivity.

The album format celebrated its 100th birthday last year, and while albums and singles remain the mainstay of the music industry, technologists, innovators and composers are coming up with new tools to help modern listeners engage with the songs they love.

One of these is MXP4, a program that allows people to mix their favourite tracks in virtually any way they like. You can add drums, take away backing music, or mash two songs together. The user interface is very simple and built for people with no DJing experience.

The music of about 70 artists, including Michael Jackson, has been licensed to the platform. The tool can be found on the websites of the participating record labels, who are looking for and innovative ways to compete with the huge volume of free music available online – often illegally. The team behind MPX4 say it offers new ways to rejuvenate artists’ back catalogues, potentially creating new revenue streams for musicians and labels.

“We offer music fans different ways to experience their favourite artist’s work,” says Albin Serviant, MXP4’s chief executive. “It’s all about enriching the music experience and adding new features. This allows fans to play with a song they may have heard a thousand times and breathe new life into it.”

RjDj is another application in the same vein. This is available as a standalone app on the iPhone. Co-founded by Michael Breidenbruecker, one of the creators of Last.fm, it allows music to be influenced by different stimuli, such as the sounds around you or the speed you are walking at while listening to a tune.

RjDj has also started to join forces with leading artists; it recently worked with Little Boots to build an app which allows listeners to either hear her latest singles, or turn on the RjDj function - letting her tunes be manipulated by the outside world in real time. Each experience can be recorded, whether it’s the sound of the listener singing along, or the version made unique by their surroundings and actions at a particular moment.

Crucially, both MXP4 and RjDj let users share their creations via sites such as Twitter, creating further opportunities to enrich the collaborative experience between artist and listener.

Robert Thomas, a reactive music producer from RjDj, said: “Our tool opens up new possibilities for both artist and listeners, and allows much more flexibility. CD and vinyl are the same thing conceptually – they allow people to listen to music frozen in its current form by virtue of it being recorded.

“Our software allows old and new music to change, be added to and grow with time and its listeners.”

Last week at Midem 2010, a conference addressing the challenges facing the music business in the digital age, a new type of music file was launched. MusicDNA, created by the technologists behind MP3, the standard format for digital music files, is a new deluxe format which will be able to include lyrics, videos, artwork and blog posts – all of which will be continually updated – as well as the music.

It will launch in spring, although its developers still need to get the major labels on board and work on a pricing strategy as it will undoubtedly be more expensive than a normal MP3. It will directly compete with Apple’s iTunes LP, which was created to encourage people to buy more albums by offering added content such as bonus tracks, artwork, lyrics and video interviews.

However, Mark Mulligan, vice president and research director of industry analysts Forrester Research, said that Apple’s attempts to add value to the album experience have not gone far enough: “Essentially all Steve Jobs [Apple’s chief executive] did was add artwork and a few lyrics, which should be the standard offering. So-called innovations like the iTunes LP need to go further. People should just pay once to get everything that artist does over the next year in one file which is regularly updated.”

Mulligan believes that innovative tools such as MXP4 and RJDJ are moves in the right direction to keep music relevant in the digital age, but there is no longer one answer which will solve this issue. “The future of a successful music industry, if there can be one in the digital age, will come from a rich tapestry of different tools, service and products,” he says.

However, Mulligan admits that most people do not want to be anything other than a passive listener. “The battle to win over the passive audience, who have effectively stopped buying music in the digital era, has already been lost,” he says.

“These innovations are to engage those music aficionados who still buy loads of music. They are the ones the music industry needs to focus on – if they don’t continue to engage them, they really could be no-one left who is willing to heavily and regularly invest in music in years to come.”

2010-02-04T08:27:00Chris WheelerRevealed: Wayne Rooney's bumper teenage deal - Manchester United striker earned Â£500k in image rights as a 16-year-old at EvertonCurrently Not ImplementedRevealed: Wayne Rooney's bumper teenage deal - Manchester United striker earned Â£500k in image rights as a 16-year-old at EvertonChris WheelerRevealed: Wayne Rooney's bumper teenage deal - Manchester United striker earned Â£500k in image rights as a 16-year-old at EvertonWayne Rooney's early career as an apprentice came under scrutiny on Wednesday as the court battle over a chunk of his Â£35million fortune continued in Manchester.Rooney was 16 when agent Paul Stretford was alerted to the youngster’s potential in 2002 and his company, Proactive Sports Management, earmarked a team of six to look after the teenager’s interests over five years, for a combined fee of between Â£500,000-Â£600,000. Early promise: Rooney was ear-marked as a money-maker while at EvertonCommercial expert Chris Rawlings, who was part of that unit, said: ‘He had just scored against Arsenal (for Everton) — there was a degree of excitement about him. I’m not surprised at the level of payment over five years.’Rooney was then signed to an eight-year commercial deal by Proactive, who had already identified a media value of Â£150,000-a-year for the player in negotiations with Everton.It meant the company received 20 per cent of Rooney’s image rights, which now earn him Â£760,000 every six months. Meanwhile, United’s Â£500m bond issue has become one of the market’s worst performers this year, just two weeks after it was launched.The price of United’s sterling bonds has dropped to 93 per cent of their original face value, while dollar bonds have fallen to 94.5 per cent.&nbsp; 2010-02-04T08:26:00Sue SmithWomen's manifesto: Their views brim with sense, so why does no party speak for women in middle England?Currently Not ImplementedWomen's manifesto: Their views brim with sense, so why does no party speak for women in middle England?Sue SmithA manifesto for women: Their views brim with common sense, so why does no party speak for the women of middle England?&nbsp; For decades, members of our organisation have challenged the Government on scores of social issues ranging from grandparents' rights, to better adult education. But it is increasingly difficult to get politicians to listen. I am - along with our members - fed up with empty promises that it's obvious they will never keep. As a result, this country is not such a nice place any more. One vital area of concern is the level of immigration, which led to us being asked to poll 34,000 members (typical Middle England women aged from 18 to beyond 80) on the subject by Migrationwatch. The findings, reported in yesterday's Mail, revealed that 95 per cent think that if current immigration levels continue, we will lose our national identity to some extent. As I've said before, it's not about race, it's about numbers - the Townswomen feel that we must protect our traditional way of life and avoid overstretching our public services. But what other issues concern our organisation, which was established when women first won the vote in 1929, with the aim of educating women about good citizenship? Here is a manifesto which, if carried out, would start to make Britain a better place to live. . . KEEP FAMILIES TOGETHER We have a lot to learn from Indian families, who involve grandparents in childcare and bring their youngsters up within a wider family. If a couple split up, it is imperative that grandparents and fathers are given visiting rights by our courts, and that we do everything to keep families together. BRING BACK LOCAL POST OFFICESThe closure of so many post offices (an estimated 8,000 have been shut in the past ten years) is nothing short of a disaster, leading to the disintegration of communities. Post offices provide a vital social service. For many isolated elderly people, the weekly visit to collect their pensions would be the only time they got out of the house. How nice to be greeted by someone saying: 'I haven't seen you for ages, how are you?' What's more, a revitalised post service could actually prove to be a lifeline. Traditionally, postmen would notice if someone's curtains were still closed at 11am and would realise something might be wrong. But now, these vital community links are disappearing - thanks to some thoughtless cost-cutting agenda. It makes my blood boil. BAN MIXED-SEX WARDS I can't think of anything worse than being sick and put on a mixed-sex hospital ward. I should hate it. When you are vulnerable (particularly if you are a woman), you need a bit of privacy - you don't want men wandering around with next to nothing on. It's undignified. Of course, politicians argue that we have to have mixed-sex wards for cost reasons, but we had separate wards years ago - then again, we managed a lot of things better in the past, before people who thought they knew better came along. CLEAN UP BRITAINA lot of people simply don't seem to care what the country looks like any more. They can't be bothered to recycle, and take no pride in our environment - leaving rubbish everywhere. It's a downwards spiral: litter attracts litter. People should be made to clean up their local area, and there should be incentives for recycling. There isn't any pride any more - I wish we could go back to the days when people swept their front step. Instead, you see youngsters tossing rubbish out of car windows, and you're scared to tick them off, because they could be carrying a knife. I get quite cross about this. BRING BACK PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY And, of course, we shouldn't leave everything to the teachers and schools to sort out. Children should be taught the rights and wrongs in the home when they are young. Nowadays, it seems that a lot of people have children because it is on their 'tick list' of life's achievements. They don't realise that there is a lot of work involved. Children are arriving at school unable to eat with cutlery, and some aren't even potty trained - I would have been mortified to send my children to school in nappies. Then we wonder why our young people attack fire engines and ambulances when they are out on duty - it is because they have never been shown that anyone cares. GIVE TEACHERS RESPECT We have completely emasculated our teachers, and then we wonder why there is chaos in the classroom. Teachers are not allowed to touch children, even to comfort a crying child. We must do away with this stupid idea. When I was at school, the headmistress had a cane on her wall - she never used it, but believe me, it was a powerful deterrent. Our teachers today have no deterrents. Their pupils shout abuse and know they can get away with it. We need to give discipline back to schools. CUT UP OUR CREDIT CARDSCredit cards are such a corrosive thing: people are tempted into debt, and then find themselves trapped by crippling bills. They make it seem so easy. You want a new sofa or television? Put it on credit. But people forget they will have to pay it back - and with huge interest. Our youngsters are encouraged to pay out more money than they get in, because they feel they have to have the latest gadget or whatever. They are brainwashed by this horrible industry, which makes money out of people's troubles. INTRODUCE A NETWORK OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REFUGES There have been some terrible accounts of domestic violence - towards both women and men. It is awful when children are involved. Victims of domestic violence need safe houses to flee to and, at the moment, the provision across Britain is very patchy. We would like to see a network of refuges set up - often people have to leave home with just their clothes on their back, and they need help in sorting out their lives. VALUE STAY-AT-HOME MOTHERSWe all know about the so-called career glass ceiling and women having to work twice as hard as men to progress in the workplace. Of course, these days, many women have to work to help pay the mortgage. But it's important to remember that women who choose to stay at home are not inferior to career women. Indeed, I think it's a jolly sight harder looking after children at home than going out to work. So, there you have it, my manifesto for a better Britain. I promise you that's what I, and hundreds of thousands of Middle England women like me, think about the way our country is going. Perhaps we need another woman in No 10. Maybe then things would get done? 2010-02-04T08:25:00Chris WheelerRevealed: Wayne Rooney's bumper teenage deal - Manchester United striker earned Â£500k in image rights as a 16-year-old at EvertonCurrently Not ImplementedRevealed: Wayne Rooney's bumper teenage deal - Manchester United striker earned Â£500k in image rights as a 16-year-old at EvertonChris WheelerRevealed: Wayne Rooney's bumper teenage deal - Manchester United striker earned Â£500k in image rights as a 16-year-old at EvertonWayne Rooney's early career as an apprentice came under scrutiny on Wednesday as the court battle over a chunk of his Â£35million fortune continued in Manchester.Rooney was 16 when agent Paul Stretford was alerted to the youngster’s potential in 2002 and his company, Proactive Sports Management, earmarked a team of six to look after the teenager’s interests over five years, for a combined fee of between Â£500,000-Â£600,000. Early promise: Rooney was ear-marked as a money-maker while at EvertonCommercial expert Chris Rawlings, who was part of that unit, said: ‘He had just scored against Arsenal (for Everton) — there was a degree of excitement about him. I’m not surprised at the level of payment over five years.’Rooney was then signed to an eight-year commercial deal by Proactive, who had already identified a media value of Â£150,000-a-year for the player in negotiations with Everton.It meant the company received 20 per cent of Rooney’s image rights, which now earn him Â£760,000 every six months. Meanwhile, United’s Â£500m bond issue has become one of the market’s worst performers this year, just two weeks after it was launched.The price of United’s sterling bonds has dropped to 93 per cent of their original face value, while dollar bonds have fallen to 94.5 per cent.&nbsp; 2010-02-04T08:25:00Sean PoulterBritish Gas cuts prices by 7% now... but families face Â£5,000 power bills laterCurrently Not ImplementedBritish Gas cuts prices by 7% now... but families face Â£5,000 power bills laterSean PoulterBritish Gas cuts prices by 7% now... but families face Â£5,000 power bills laterBritish Gas today cut average gas bills by 7 per cent in a move set to benefit around eight million households.The reduction, which is effective immediately, comes amid falls in wholesale prices from their highs of two years ago.British Gas said customers will save an average Â£55 a year as a result of the move, which is the third cut in energy prices from the company in the past 12 months.But relief for households could be short lived, as Britons were warned they faced power shortages in just five years' time, bringing a threat of black-outs and huge rises in family bills. The energy regulator Ofgem warned yesterday that drastic action isnecessary, which could include nationalising the supply system. It said an increasing number of consumers, both domestic andcommercial, would find themselves unable to afford the amount of energythey use today. Independent experts said households could be facing annual bills of Â£5,000 by 2020 - four times the current level of Â£1,230. Ofgem's warning blows a hole in Ministers' assurances that they have planned to provide a secure energy supply. It makes clear there has been a lack of preparation for theclosure of ageing coal and nuclear power stations, which will comeoff-line in the next five to ten years. Ofgem says some Â£200billion is needed to build new nuclearstations, 'clean' coalfired plants, where carbon emissions are capturedand stored, and green energy projects. However, the regulator said the country cannot rely on theprivate sector to build them all. As a result, there is a danger thatBritain will depend on expensive gas imports from unstable parts of theworld such as Russia and the Middle East. Gas imports will reach 50per cent of UK needs by 2013 and 80per cent by 2020.&nbsp; Ofgem warned: 'The unprecedented combination of the globalfinancial crisis, tough environmental targets, increasing gas importdependency and the closure of ageing power stations has combined tocast reasonable doubt over whether the current energy arrangements willdeliver secure and sustainable energy supplies.' The regulator, which has drawn up an action plan calledProject Discovery, said it may be necessary to set up a newnationalised energy-buying body. It would commission power companies to build wind farms,nuclear plants and clean coal power stations, and guarantee a highprice for their energy for 20 years to ensure they can make a profit. Alternatively, the Government could nationalise the greenenergy sector, commissioning the building of wind and wave powergeneration, and require customers to buy the expensive power itproduced. One of the main reasons Britain faces an energy gap is that the Government has pledged that 15per cent of UK supplies will come from green sources such as wind farms by 2020, largely to meet EU emissions rules. However green sources are hugely expensive and the private sector is reluctant to spend the billions necessary. Ofgem chief executive Alistair Buchanan said action was needed to meet potential challenges to security of supply. He said: 'All the facts point to the need for reforms now. Thereis an increasing consensus that leaving the present system of marketarrangements and other incentives unchanged is not an option.' Conflict: Ofgem head Alistair Buchanan,right, has said the current system needs a change while Ed Milibandsaid he is 'confident' Britain will meet supply needsWHAT ARE THE OPTIONS?1)Focus on alternatives, such as natural gas. Reserves are continuing tobe discovered around the world. At present there is the equivalent of1.2 trillion barrels of oil - enough to supply the world for 60 years'supply.2)Improve storage. At present the UK has storage capacity of about 4 percent of its energy needs, or about 14 days' supply. This compares toGermany's 21 per cent and France's 24 per cent.3)Change the rules of the game. Currently, in traditional energy areas,the government leaves investment to the open market. However, energycompanies need more incentive - either monetary or regulatory - toincrease investment.4)Subsidise new nuclear power plants. The government has so far refusedto help pay towards their construction. But it may be preferable to payout as the alternative is higher energy bills for the taxpayer.5) Make it even easier for home-owners to power their homes ie with solar panels with feed-in-tariffs Tory spokesman Greg Clark said: 'This is a devastating verdict on Labour's 13 years of neglect of Britain's energy security. 'It is a sign of desperation that the regulator, which issupposed to execute government policy, is having to urge the Governmentto adopt a policy for energy security.' Energy Secretary Ed Miliband tried to play down the threat, saying: 'The Government isconfident that Britain will meet its security of supply needs in theyears ahead. 'Our Low Carbon Transition Plan has put in place a programmeof action to deliver secure and increasingly low-carbon energy in themedium term through to 2020.'However, he accepted the need for state action to cope with adoubling of demand for electricity by 2050, partly as a result of carsbeing switched to electric power. Ann Robinson, of the price comparison website uSwitch.com,said bills could reach around Â£5,000 by 2020 to cover the cost of thebuilding programme and imported gas. She said: 'We have to remember that energy bills doubled inthe last five years alone. We are entering a new era of high-costenergy and households will have to adapt their behaviour accordingly.' USwitch puts the total bill for consumers at Â£231.5billion.This is made up of Â£112.5billion to build wind farms and other greenplants; Â£52.1billion for new gas, coal and nuclear power stations;Â£39.8billion for upgrading gas pipes and storage, pylons and wires;Â£13.4billion to install smart meters in all homes and Â£ 15.7billion forthe CERT scheme, which raises money through bills to fund homeinsulation. Liberal Democrat spokesman Simon Hughes said there should bean urgent national programme to insulate homes and deliver 'the fastestpossible growth' in renewable energy. He said: 'In the meantime, the regulator needs to make surefuel prices are fair and that energy companies stop the regularexploitation of vulnerable customers'.2010-02-04T08:16:00Kate MelhuishJennifer Aniston's jeans and J-Lo's sunnies... we reveal where to find the hottest celebrity looksCurrently Not ImplementedJennifer Aniston's jeans and J-Lo's sunnies... we reveal where to find the hottest celebrity looksKate MelhuishJennifer Aniston's jeans and J-Lo's sunnies... we reveal where to find the hottest celebrity looksJENNIFER'S BOYFRIEND JEANSJennifer Aniston looked cool and casual travelling through New York,teaming her stripy top, leather jacket and trilby hat with fashionablydistressed boyfriend jeans from the celebrity's favourite denim labelCurrent/Elliot. This pair cost Â£190 at net-a-porter.com and should beworn rolled to the mid-calf a la Aniston who wears the trend toperfection. For something a little more purse friendly check out Gapwho have a great pair of boyfriend jeans, for just Â£45. Fashionably distressed: Jennifer Aniston wears Current/Elliot's boyfriend jeans J-LO'S SUNNIESDespitebeing indoors, Jennifer Lopez just couldn’t be parted from her newDSquared2 sunglasses at a launch party in New York, teaming them with apretty orange frock, and croc skin bag. This pair costÂ£189, for stockists call 01635 277 299, but despite the wet winterweather you can still pick up tortoiseshell sunglasses anywhere forthose looking for winter sun, with Accessorize selling a great pair forjust Â£15, monsoon.co.uk AMANDA SEYFRIED'S PRINTED FROCKMammaMia! star Amanda Seyfried is a fan of up and coming labels, with thedesigner Peter Pilotto proving a particular favourite at the moment. Shechose one of his multicoloured embellished frocks for the GlamourAwards in London recently, but at Â£1,455, from Harvey Nichols, 020 72355000, they don't come cheap.&nbsp;But bold patterns are big newsat the moment and you can find similar striking designs across the HighStreet with Warehouse offering a particularly good print dress for justÂ£45.&nbsp; Prints charming: Amanda Seyfried loves her Peter Pilotto minidress 2010-02-04T08:14:30Nadine LingePeter Andre breaks down on live TVCurrently Not ImplementedPeter Andre breaks down on live TVNadine Linge<img src='http://images.dailystar-uk.co.uk/dynamic/1/285x214/120510_1.jpg' /><br /><br />PETER Andre yesterday broke down live on TV as he tearfully declared: "No one is going to take my kids away from me."<br /><br /> <p class="storycopy">Just hours before he had discovered his ex-wife <a href="http://www.dailystar.co.uk/posts/view/120353/Alex-Reid-God-will-help-my-marriage-to-Jordan-work/">Jordan</a>, 31, had wed cage-fighter Alex Reid.<!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy"><br> <!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy">The singer was quizzed on Sky News about what would happen if Alex, 34, wanted to adopt his children. He was shown footage of Dwight Yorke, the father of Kate's seven-year-old son Harvey, blasting the singer as "disrespectful" for wanting to adopt the lad.<!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy"><br> <!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy">In the TV chat from last year, Yorke, 38, said: "Four years down the line, is he prepared to adopt Harvey? I don't think so. So the onus falls back on the father."<!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy"><br> <!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy">But Peter blasted: "Well, no disrespect, but has he even seen Harvey since that interview? The bottom line is that I love that child. <br> <!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy"><br> <!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy">"I see that child and I don't care what anyone says.<!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy"><br> <!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy">"To me, a little thank-you would be nice."<!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy"><br> <!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy">Furious and with his voice rising, he leaned forward, and added: "I asked to adopt him because I love him, not to be disrespectful. <br> <!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy"><br> <!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy">He's in my life. He calls me Dad. I didn't ask him to call me Dad."<!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy"><br> <!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy">Interviewer Kay Burley, 49, explained they had wanted to show Peter the clip to see what his reaction would be should Alex one day say he wanted to adopt Harvey, and Peter's children, four-year-old Junior and Princess Tia'mii, two.<!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy"><br> <!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy">Immediately Peter, 36, snapped back: "No-one is going to take my kids away from me. <br> <!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy"><br> <!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy">"Nobody. Nobody. I will fight to the death for that." <br> <!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy"><br> <!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy">But the emotion got too much for the star and tears welled up in his eyes. With his voice cracking, Peter added: "I will die for those children."<!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy"><br> <!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy">Unable to carry on, Peter asked for the interview to be stopped and bowed his head as he tried to hold back his tears. <br> <!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy"><br> <!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy">He said: "I don't want to talk about this. I'm sorry, can we end this now?"<!--[--> </[> <p><!--[--> <br> </[> <p class="storycopy">Cameras cut to an ad break as the singer tried to control himself.<!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy"><br> <!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy">Peter had spent the day in a round of interviews for his new record, but the questions had focused on Jordan's Las Vegas marriage to Alex.<!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy"><br> <!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy">Kay was forced to reass-ure fans after the channel was flooded with texts and email from viewers anxious for Peter.<!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy"><br> <!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy">She said: "Peter's fine. He's a very devoted dad and he's going to go home and spend the rest of the day with the children. He's OK."<!--[--> </[> <p class="storycopy"><br> <!--[--> <!-- 1265238408.49--><!-- 1265271262.18--></[> 2010-02-04T08:14:302010-02-04T08:12:05.363Sir David Attenborough to present new BBC series about first life on earthCurrently Not ImplementedSir David Attenborough to present new BBC series about first life on earth

The veteran broadcaster has signed up to host Attenborough's First Animals, which will use fossil records and computer effects to throw light on creatures which have been extinct for millions of years.

Sir David shows no sign of wishing to reduce his workload as he enters his mid-80s. The new series follows on from Frozen Planet, which required the presenter to travel to both the Arctic and Antarctic for filming,

Frozen Planet will be broadcast in 2011 on BBC One, with Attenborough's First Animals due to hit screens a year later.

The two shows are set to cement Sir David's reputation as one of the nation's most loved and respected television presenters.

His previous triumphs include the Life series of widlife programmes, as well as The Blue Planet and Wildlife on One.

Speaking about his desire to continue filming, he said recently: "My legs don't work and people say, 'You should have a knee replacement', but when you are 83 there would be another year or 18 months of pain and stuff, and by that time you are 85, 86.

"Come on! We are mortal and you cannot make yourself a 26-year-old again. You might as well cope with it the way it is going."

Chainrai has taken over the 90 per cent shareholding that was held by the club’s previous owner, Ali Al Faraj, after becoming frustrated that the Fratton Park side had missed deadlines to repay him money he was owed from loans made to the club earlier in the season.

Chainrai had loaned around £17 million to Faraj to keep Portsmouth afloat through his company Portpin, secured against the club’s future television revenue, Fratton Park itself and Faraj’s stake.

But Portsmouth have repeatedly failed to repay their debts to Chainrai, whose patience snapped on Wednesday.

After instructing his lawyers to act, Faraj’s 90 per cent stake was frozen and transferred to Chainrai, who therefore becomes the club’s fourth owner of a tumultuous campaign.

Sacha Gaydamak and Sulaiman al-Fahim have also been in control of the stricken south coast club at other points this season.

Chainrai has not commented directly on effectively taking charge at Portsmouth, but has moved to reassure their increasingly exasperated fans that the club have a viable future.

However, Chainrai's aim is merely to stabilise the club before selling it on to new owners in order to recoup his investment.

“Portpin have made substantial loans to Portsmouth to try and ensure the club’s future,” he said. “Portpin will continue to work for the best interests of the club.”

A Portsmouth spokesman said: "Portpin have exercised a clause in their contractual agreement to take a controlling interest.

"They are taking control on a temporary basis to allow new owners to be found.

"Portpin's aim is to come in and stabilise the club, sort out the business with the winding up order from HMRC and sell it on to new owners.

"New directors will be appointed to the board and Peter Storrie will remain as chief executive and will be running the club."

In another bizarre episode, the Premier League has told Portsmouth it will have no direct dealings with Daniel Azougy, who is working as a consultant with the club, and even asked the convicted fraudster to leave its offices prior to one meeting with club officials.

Telegraph Sport can also disclose that Azougy, an Israeli lawyer, was questioned by immigration officials when he entered the country at Heathrow Airport, though he was eventually granted leave to enter on a six-month business visa.

2010-02-04T08:07:00Daily Mail ReporterCherie Blair spares violent queue rage thug because he is a 'religious man' Currently Not ImplementedCherie Blair spares violent queue rage thug because he is a 'religious man' Daily Mail ReporterCherie Blair spares violent queue rage thug because he is a 'religious man' Cherie Blair has kept a violent yob out of prison because he is a 'religious man'.The wife of former Prime Minister Tony Blair took pity on the defendant while sitting as a judge at Inner London Crown Court yesterday.Shamso Miah, 25, broke another customer's jaw during the violent 'queue rage' attack after a row erupted about who was next in line.Miah, a devout Muslim, had just left his local mosque when he becameenraged and grabbed victim Mohammed Furcan before punching him, thecourt heard.The thug ran outside but Mr Furcan chased after him and demanded to know why he had been struck. Miah then punched him again, connecting with the right side of his face and causing him to collapse to the ground in East Ham.Hiscar number plate was reported to the police and, when arrested, heclaimed he had acted in self defence in August last year. However the court heard the bank's CCTV footage showed he was the aggressor.Theunemployed first-time offender, from Redbridge, north-east London,pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.&nbsp;Yetdespite saying violence on our streets 'has to be taken seriously' MrsBlair, a QC who professionally uses her maiden name Cherie Booth, lethim walk free from court.She told him: 'I am going to suspendthis sentence for the period of two years based on the fact you are areligious person and have not been in trouble before. 'You caused a mild fracture to the jaw of a member of the public standing in a queue at Lloyds Bank.&nbsp;'You are a religious man and you know this is not acceptable behaviour.'Miah was sentenced to six months in jail, suspended for two years, and was ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service. 2010-02-04T08:06:00Christian GysinLook what you're missing, JT: Toni Terry enjoys sun on Dubai beach as she escapes furore over Chelsea husband's sex scandal
Currently Not ImplementedLook what you're missing, JT: Toni Terry enjoys sun on Dubai beach as she escapes furore over Chelsea husband's sex scandal
Christian GysinLook what you're missing, JT: Toni Terry enjoys sun on Dubai beach as she escapes furore over Chelsea husband's sex scandalTerry refuses to resign as England captainClaims of Terry fling with another Premiership star's wifeLooking toned and tanned, Toni Terry continued to enjoy the winter sun yesterday in Dubai in an attempt to put her husband's sex scandal behind her.Wearing a black and white striped bikini with a pink lace trim, the 28-year-old looked stunning as she sent a clear message to football star John: Look what you're missing.Toni was pictured playing with the couple's twin children and strolling along the beach with a friend. Prowling along the beach: Toni Terry strolls along a beach in Dubai in her frilly zebra-print bikini and sun hat with her mobile phone never far away She said: 'I don't know what to do. This is a very upsetting time for me.'Later she was spotted shopping at Dubai's largest indoor shopping centre, the Mall ofthe Emirates. She also spent two hours sunbathing by the swimming poolat the family's Â£300-a-night five-star hotel. Wearing a flowing, floor-length dress, she then spent the next twohours touring the mall's most expensive boutiques. Among other shops,she visited Emporio Armani, Ralph Lauren, Gucci and Marc Jacobs, andemerged with a bag from Louis Vuitton. While she refused to comment on Terry's affair with Vanessa Perroncel, she continued to wear her large diamond engagement ring.&nbsp;A friend said: 'She's been everywhere today. She's really hit John where it hurts.'However, an onlooker said: 'One minute she seemed in her element,ducking in and out of the fancy stores, but the next the pain wasetched on her face.' Second chance: Toni, 28, is still wearing her engagement ring as she prepares to give England and Chelsea captain Terry a second chanceShe is said to have decided to give her husband a second chance.She told the Daily Mirror: 'It's not just about me. I love him too much and he's a great dad.'I have had so much support from friends. I don't want to say too much. The bottom line is I love my husband.'Last night, fresh claims about John Terry's infidelity emerged, with reports he had an affair with another Premiership footballer's wife.The England captain is alleged to have slept with the married mum on a regular basis, but her husband never found out about the fling.An insider told The Daily Mirror: 'John has done this before and it now seems inevitable it will come out.'He added: 'There is a free and easy culture around some parts of the game when it comes to sex. He was part of that gang.'Confidante: Toni, 28, confides in a friend as they enjoy the winter sunIt comes as Â£170,000-a-week Terry hangs on to the England captaincy by a thread.With the sort of defiance fans have come to expect on the pitch from the central defender, he is refusing to quit the post.The Football Association has dodged the issue by saying the decision rests entirely with England manager Fabio Capello, and he is due to fly into the country today after recovering from knee surgery at his home in Lugano, Switzerland.to quit as captain yesterday overhis latest sordid affair, his mistress was continuing to make the mostof her spell in the limelight. Miss Perroncel is believedto be have been offered more than Â£250,000 by a Sunday newspaper fordetails of her five-month relationship with the married footballer. And that's not all. She is also thought to be making a tidy sum from an exclusive deal with a photographic agency to chronicle her carefully-choreographed public appearances. Happier days: John Terry, who is refusing to quit as England captain, and Toni Miss Perroncel deliberately hid under her hooded cardigan as sheleft her Surrey home yesterday to prevent photographers from a varietyof publications or agencies taking a clear picture. However,hours later, the Matrix photo agency issued a set of pictures showingher walking down the driveway of Max Clifford, her publicityconsultant. After talks with Mr Clifford, the formerlingerie model issued an extraordinary public denial yesterday that shehad affairs with three other Chelsea footballers. Mistress: Vanessa Perroncel, pictured yesterday, has been offered Â£250,000 for her kiss-and-tell storyApart from Terry and her former fiance Wayne Bridge, Miss Perroncelhas been linked to former Chelsea stars Eidur Gudjohnsen and AdrianMutu plus another player whose name has not been released. 'Vanessa told me these accusations are totally untrue,' said Mr Clifford. 'It's absolute nonsense.' Another Chelsea player, the Ivory Coast international Didier Drogba, issued a '100 per cent denial' that he, too, had an affair with Miss Perroncel. And a spokesman for Iceland-born Gudjohnsen denied that his client had an 'improper relationship with Frenchwoman Miss Perroncel, who claims to be 28 but is believed to be 33. Agents for several other players remained silent when contacted by the Daily Mail over rumours of relationships with Miss Perroncel. Terry&nbsp; -&nbsp; at the centre of one of the biggest sex scandals to hit football&nbsp; -&nbsp; is waiting for England coach Fabio Capello to make the final decision on his future. He has faced public humiliation since details of the affair with Bridge's girlfriend emerged last weekend including the fact that he arranged an abortion for Miss Perroncel. But, despite a clamour of calls for the Â£170,000-a-week star to hand over the coveted armband, he steadfastly refused to fall on his sword and will find out his fate this weekend. His spokesman Phil Hall said: 'John Terry asked me to make it clear that he has made absolutely no statement about his future as England captain. 'He is keeping his own counsel until he speaks to Fabio Capello and then Mr Capello will decide what announcement will be made.' Mrs Terry became friendly with Miss Perroncel when they were near neighbours in Oxshott, Surrey. They have children of similar ages and enjoyed family days out together as well as a 'girls only' holiday. Terry's affair with the former model began after Wayne Bridge was transferred to Manchester City and his relationship with Miss Perroncel broke up. Miss Perroncel arrived from France ten years ago following the suicide of her father. She came into contact with Chelsea players while working as a waitress at the now closed Elysium nightclub in central London, where the footballers were regulars. She is claimed to have begun her affair with married Gudjohnsen in 2003. The Sun claimed the pair met up at her rented home in Fulham, a short drive from Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium.&nbsp;&nbsp; 2010-02-04T08:05:35Toyota recalls 180,000 UK carsCurrently Not ImplementedToyota recalls 180,000 UK cars<img src='http://images.dailystar-uk.co.uk/dynamic/79/285x214/120552_1.jpg' /><br /><br />Toyota is working to recall more than 180,000 cars in the UK as the crisis over defective accelerator pedals rocked the company.<br /><br />The world's biggest car maker said 180,865 vehicles might be affected by the problem in Britain, and it was writing to the owners to arrange repairs.<br /><br />Toyota has warned that accelerator pedals on seven models may get stuck, recalling 1.8 million cars across Europe and millions more in the US and Japan.<br /><br />In the UK, the seven models are affected - the iQ, Aygo, Yaris, Auris, Corolla, Avensis and Verso.<br /><br />Toyota said that anyone in Britain who had suffered a problem with their accelerator pedal should contact the company and warned people not to get the problem fixed independently. <br /><br />The first batches of parts to make the repair will arrive in the UK next week, with the first repairs due to take place on February 10.<br /><br />Toyota said that it had stopped delivering new vehicles of the seven affected models to British customers.<br /><br />They will not be released until they have been fitted with a new part - a process that is estimated will take just 30 minutes to fix.<br /><br />In another potential customer issue for the firm, there have also been a number of complaints in the US and Japan about brake problems with Toyota's ground-breaking Prius hybrid - however, Toyota UK's spokesman, said the firm had found no problems with the Prius brakes in the UK.<br /><br />He urged anyone with concerns about the accelerator pedal safety of their Toyota model should call the firm's UK helpline number on 0800 138 8744.<br />2010-02-04T08:05:352010-02-04T08:05:00Mail Foreign ServiceChildcare, Chinese style: Rickshaw driver chains two-year-old son to a post while he's at work Currently Not ImplementedChildcare, Chinese style: Rickshaw driver chains two-year-old son to a post while he's at work Mail Foreign ServiceChildcare, Chinese style: Rickshaw driver chains two-year-old son to a post while he's at work At first sight it seems the ultimate in child cruelty - a two-year-old boy chained to a lamp post to stop him getting away. Yet his parents say this is the only way they can guarantee not to lose him. His father Chen Chuanliu works as anunlicensed rickshaw cyclist in Beijing, taking fares all over the city,while the boy's disabled mother collects rubbish at the roadside. Chained: Two-year-old Chen Chuanliu is regularly padlocked to a tree while his rickshaw driver father touts for customers in Beijing No escape: The padlock securing the toddlerThey say they secured their son, Lao Lu, with a padlock around his ankle because his four-year-old sister Ling was 'stolen' from them last month. Child snatching is rife in China, where strict laws govern the size of families. Concerned passers-by spotted the shackled toddler outside Huaguan Shopping Mall in Liangxiang. They reported his father to the authorities, who yesterday ordered him to remove the chain although it was not clear what arrangements he would make in future. There is no nursery place for Lao Lu because his 42-year-old father is a migrant worker from another province, Szechuan, and therefore does not qualify for state help. The family live in one room, 9ft by 8ft. Chen said he could not afford to pay for childcare on his earnings of Â£4.50 a day and had refused offers of 'a lot of money' to give his son up for adoption. 'My wife cannot take care of him and I have to work to support my family. So I chain him to a pole when I have a fare. 'I don't even have a picture of my daughter to use for a missing-person poster. I cannot lose my son as well.' 2010-02-04T08:04:34.957ReutersYell revenues fall less than expected, see confidence returningCurrently Not ImplementedYell revenues fall less than expected, see confidence returningReuters

The company said, however, it was starting to see an upturn in confidence among the small-business advertisers that bring in the vast majority of its revenue, which would be reflected in its results for the three months to the end of June.

"We are beginning to see some confidence return in our current sales canvasses," Yell said in a statement on Thursday.

The company said it expected earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) for the full year to end-March of at least £600m, compared with £816m for fiscal 2009.

Highly leveraged Yell's revenues for the first nine months of the year were £1.523bn, a decline of 13.3 per cent at constant exchange rates, after a 13.2 per cent decline in the first six months.

Adjusted EBITDA fell 20.5 per cent at constant currencies to £476.5m. At the pre-tax level, profits fell to £75.1m from 175.3m last time.

Yell's main markets are Britain and the United States. It also operates in Spain and Latin America.

Confidence among British businesses climbed to a six-year high in the fourth quarter. But the sentiment of U.S. small business owners stalled in December, hurt by weak sales and worries about government policies.

Yell avoided a debt-for-equity swap late last year through a refinancing and rights issue.

Nonetheless, its shares have continued to slide, losing 18 per cent of their value since the refinancing was announced in November.

2010-02-04T08:04:27Toyota recalls 180,000 UK carsCurrently Not ImplementedToyota recalls 180,000 UK cars<img src='http://images.dailyexpress.co.uk/img/dynamic/1/285x214/156162_1.jpg' /><br /><br />Toyota is working to recall more than 180,000 cars in the UK as the crisis over defective accelerator pedals rocked the company.<br /><br />The world's biggest car maker said 180,865 vehicles might be affected by the problem in Britain, and it was writing to the owners to arrange repairs.<br /><br />Toyota has warned that accelerator pedals on seven models may get stuck, recalling 1.8 million cars across Europe and millions more in the US and Japan.<br /><br />In the UK, the seven models are affected - the iQ, Aygo, Yaris, Auris, Corolla, Avensis and Verso.<br /><br />Toyota said that anyone in Britain who had suffered a problem with their accelerator pedal should contact the company and warned people not to get the problem fixed independently. <br /><br />The first batches of parts to make the repair will arrive in the UK next week, with the first repairs due to take place on February 10.<br /><br />Toyota said that it had stopped delivering new vehicles of the seven affected models to British customers.<br /><br />They will not be released until they have been fitted with a new part - a process that is estimated will take just 30 minutes to fix.<br /><br />In another potential customer issue for the firm, there have also been a number of complaints in the US and Japan about brake problems with Toyota's ground-breaking Prius hybrid - however, Toyota UK's spokesman, said the firm had found no problems with the Prius brakes in the UK.<br /><br />He urged anyone with concerns about the accelerator pedal safety of their Toyota model should call the firm's UK helpline number on 0800 138 8744.<br />2010-02-04T08:04:272010-02-04T08:04:11Di Matteo hails hard-fought winCurrently Not ImplementedDi Matteo hails hard-fought win<img src='http://images.dailystar-uk.co.uk/dynamic/80/285x214/120567_1.jpg' /><br /><br />West Brom manager Roberto Di Matteo admitted his side were made to fight all the way for their 3-2 win over Coca-Cola Championship opponents Blackpool.<br /><br />Albion edged a thrilling encounter at the seaside with Graham Dorrans lashing home the winning penalty with seven minutes to play. <br /><br />Baggies manager Di Matteo said: &quot;This was a really hard fought match. We have to dig in and fight for the points. Not many teams come here and go away with anything but I am delighted with my players' performance. <br /><br />&quot;We took our chances well and Roman Bednar did his job up front with two well-taken goals.&quot;<br /><br />Keith Southern had given Blackpool the lead but two strikes from Roman Bednar gave the promotion hopefuls the lead.<br /><br />Stephen Dobbie levelled after 80 minutes only for Dorrans to end the hosts' hopes from the spot.<br /><br />Tangerines boss Ian Holloway was left angry about what he perceived to be a poor penalty call after Ishmael Miller went down with Andy Butler in attendance.<br /><br />&quot;I said before the game that our next two matches could be defining. It is a shame we had to lose this one on a referee's penalty decision,&quot; said Holloway. &quot;My lads are shattered about that decision because they thought it was a fair tackle. <br /><br />&quot;However I thought we did well against a side I consider to be the best in the Championship. They have a class squad based on established Premiership players and we gave them a really good run for their money. They know that. <br /><br />&quot;We will have to see how the next couple of games go but my target for the season was always going to be 52 points and safety. That remains my target, anything else is a bonus.&quot;<br />2010-02-04T08:04:112010-02-04T08:04:08Di Matteo hails hard-fought winCurrently Not ImplementedDi Matteo hails hard-fought win<img src='http://images.dailyexpress.co.uk/img/dynamic/67/285x214/156189_1.jpg' /><br /><br />West Brom manager Roberto Di Matteo admitted his side were made to fight all the way for their 3-2 win over Coca-Cola Championship opponents Blackpool.<br /><br />Albion edged a thrilling encounter at the seaside with Graham Dorrans lashing home the winning penalty with seven minutes to play. <br /><br />Baggies manager Di Matteo said: &quot;This was a really hard fought match. We have to dig in and fight for the points. Not many teams come here and go away with anything but I am delighted with my players' performance. <br /><br />&quot;We took our chances well and Roman Bednar did his job up front with two well-taken goals.&quot;<br /><br />Keith Southern had given Blackpool the lead but two strikes from Roman Bednar gave the promotion hopefuls the lead.<br /><br />Stephen Dobbie levelled after 80 minutes only for Dorrans to end the hosts' hopes from the spot.<br /><br />Tangerines boss Ian Holloway was left angry about what he perceived to be a poor penalty call after Ishmael Miller went down with Andy Butler in attendance.<br /><br />&quot;I said before the game that our next two matches could be defining. It is a shame we had to lose this one on a referee's penalty decision,&quot; said Holloway. &quot;My lads are shattered about that decision because they thought it was a fair tackle. <br /><br />&quot;However I thought we did well against a side I consider to be the best in the Championship. They have a class squad based on established Premiership players and we gave them a really good run for their money. They know that. <br /><br />&quot;We will have to see how the next couple of games go but my target for the season was always going to be 52 points and safety. That remains my target, anything else is a bonus.&quot;<br />2010-02-04T08:04:082010-02-04T08:04:04Johnson facing make or break opCurrently Not ImplementedJohnson facing make or break op<img src='http://images.dailystar-uk.co.uk/dynamic/80/285x214/120566_1.jpg' /><br /><br />American surgeon Richard Steadman will perform an operation on Andy Johnson's knee on Thursday in a bid to save the striker's injury-plagued season. <br /><br />Johnson was missing from the Cottagers side which ended a run of five successive defeats with a 1-0 victory over the Barclays Premier League's bottom side Portsmouth. <br /><br />&quot;He will have knee surgery in America, when they will go in and see what it is, and then fix it,&quot; he said. &quot;There is a risk that he will be out for the rest of the season, but there is also some optimism.&quot;<br /><br />He added: &quot;However, the experience of our medical people think it might be (season ending). <br /><br />&quot;I am disappointed in that, because I was still believing he was going to come back and it would not be that long <br /><br />&quot;Now I may be looking at the rest of the season with a limited and inexperienced group of front players.&quot;<br /><br />Fulham's lack of firepower was evident as Bobby Zamora and debutant Stefano Okaka created few chances between them. <br /><br />Hodgson's men had to rely on a fortuitous goal from Jonathan Greening to seal the win.<br /><br />Avram Grant bemoaned his side's lack of luck. &quot;We played very good football, created a lot of chances and were by far the better team,&quot; the former Chelsea boss said. &quot;They did not even deserve a draw, they had only one chance and scored. <br /><br />&quot;There was also a mistake by the referee in the goal, because Zamora was offside. After what has happened off the pitch, the players gave 100% and gave their heart.&quot;<br />2010-02-04T08:04:042010-02-04T08:04:02Johnson facing make or break opCurrently Not ImplementedJohnson facing make or break op<img src='http://images.dailyexpress.co.uk/img/dynamic/67/285x214/156188_1.jpg' /><br /><br />American surgeon Richard Steadman will perform an operation on Andy Johnson's knee on Thursday in a bid to save the striker's injury-plagued season. <br /><br />Johnson was missing from the Cottagers side which ended a run of five successive defeats with a 1-0 victory over the Barclays Premier League's bottom side Portsmouth. <br /><br />&quot;He will have knee surgery in America, when they will go in and see what it is, and then fix it,&quot; he said. &quot;There is a risk that he will be out for the rest of the season, but there is also some optimism.&quot;<br /><br />He added: &quot;However, the experience of our medical people think it might be (season ending). <br /><br />&quot;I am disappointed in that, because I was still believing he was going to come back and it would not be that long <br /><br />&quot;Now I may be looking at the rest of the season with a limited and inexperienced group of front players.&quot;<br /><br />Fulham's lack of firepower was evident as Bobby Zamora and debutant Stefano Okaka created few chances between them. <br /><br />Hodgson's men had to rely on a fortuitous goal from Jonathan Greening to seal the win.<br /><br />Avram Grant bemoaned his side's lack of luck. &quot;We played very good football, created a lot of chances and were by far the better team,&quot; the former Chelsea boss said. &quot;They did not even deserve a draw, they had only one chance and scored. <br /><br />&quot;There was also a mistake by the referee in the goal, because Zamora was offside. After what has happened off the pitch, the players gave 100% and gave their heart.&quot;<br />2010-02-04T08:04:022010-02-04T08:03:47Terry keeps counsel over captaincyCurrently Not ImplementedTerry keeps counsel over captaincy<img src='http://images.dailyexpress.co.uk/img/dynamic/67/285x214/156185_1.jpg' /><br /><br />There will be no word from John Terry on Thursday after the under-fire Chelsea captain said he would not be speaking publicly about his future as England captain before meeting with coach Fabio Capello.<br /><br />Terry on Wednesday issued a brief statement in response to the continued interest in him following a media storm over alleged indiscretions in his private life, vowing to keep his silence until speaking with Capello. The 29-year-old has faced calls for his resignation as England skipper following allegations that he had an affair with the ex-partner of former club-mate and fellow international Wayne Bridge.<br /><br />Phil Hall, Terry's spokesman, said: &quot;John Terry asked me to make it clear that he has made absolutely no statement about his future as England captain. He is keeping his own counsel until he speaks to England manager Fabio Capello and then Mr Capello will decide what announcement will be made.&quot;<br /><br />Hall was speaking following reports that claimed Terry would not offer to resign.<br /><br />The Football Association stated earlier in the week that the issue of whether or not Terry was still a suitable leader would be a matter for Capello alone.<br /><br />Capello has been recuperating in Switzerland after a recent knee operation but is due to return to England on Friday.<br /><br />The Italian is now likely to meet Terry before travelling to Poland for the qualifying draw for Euro 2012 this weekend.<br /><br />England are next in action when they face Egypt in a friendly on March 3 and ordinarily it would be expected that Terry and Bridge, now at Manchester City, would be selected in the squad.<br /><br />Terry has played twice for Chelsea since the storm broke, suffering a torrent of abuse from supporters at both Burnley and Hull.<br /><br />After Tuesday's 1-1 draw with the Tigers, club manager Carlo Ancelotti said: &quot;If he needs a holiday I will give him a holiday. If he doesn't need a holiday then he will play against Cardiff. You will see the line-up then.&quot;<br />2010-02-04T08:03:472010-02-04T08:03:47Terry keeps counsel over captaincyCurrently Not ImplementedTerry keeps counsel over captaincy<img src='http://images.dailystar-uk.co.uk/dynamic/80/285x214/120564_1.jpg' /><br /><br />There will be no word from John Terry on Thursday after the under-fire Chelsea captain said he would not be speaking publicly about his future as England captain before meeting with coach Fabio Capello.<br /><br />Terry on Wednesday issued a brief statement in response to the continued interest in him following a media storm over alleged indiscretions in his private life, vowing to keep his silence until speaking with Capello. The 29-year-old has faced calls for his resignation as England skipper following allegations that he had an affair with the ex-partner of former club-mate and fellow international Wayne Bridge.<br /><br />Phil Hall, Terry's spokesman, said: &quot;John Terry asked me to make it clear that he has made absolutely no statement about his future as England captain. He is keeping his own counsel until he speaks to England manager Fabio Capello and then Mr Capello will decide what announcement will be made.&quot;<br /><br />Hall was speaking following reports that claimed Terry would not offer to resign.<br /><br />The Football Association stated earlier in the week that the issue of whether or not Terry was still a suitable leader would be a matter for Capello alone.<br /><br />Capello has been recuperating in Switzerland after a recent knee operation but is due to return to England on Friday.<br /><br />The Italian is now likely to meet Terry before travelling to Poland for the qualifying draw for Euro 2012 this weekend.<br /><br />England are next in action when they face Egypt in a friendly on March 3 and ordinarily it would be expected that Terry and Bridge, now at Manchester City, would be selected in the squad.<br /><br />Terry has played twice for Chelsea since the storm broke, suffering a torrent of abuse from supporters at both Burnley and Hull.<br /><br />After Tuesday's 1-1 draw with the Tigers, club manager Carlo Ancelotti said: &quot;If he needs a holiday I will give him a holiday. If he doesn't need a holiday then he will play against Cardiff. You will see the line-up then.&quot;<br />2010-02-04T08:03:472010-02-04T08:02:00Alison TylerCould you pull off... Sandra Bullock's floaty maxi dressCurrently Not ImplementedCould you pull off... Sandra Bullock's floaty maxi dressAlison TylerCould you pull off... Sandra Bullock's floaty maxi dressFeminine: Sandra Bullock in Alberta Ferretti's Â£2,089 maxi dressActress Sandra Bullock floated into a movie premiere recently looking ethereal in a cream and blue maxidress by Italian designer Alberta Ferretti — the queen of femininetailoring.As maxi dresses have made a huge comeback this season, we road-tested this ultra-wearabletrend on our size 12-14 model to see if a mere mortal could pull it off.The results? While the dress looked all right, it wasn’t what one might call flattering on a largerfigure, as it left our model looking block-y, with no discernable waistline — certainly not a lookworth paying more than Â£2,000 for.However, on a waif-like woman this dress would give the illusion of abigger bust and more curves, which could be a real plus.But for those not blessed with a tiny figure and a huge wallet — and that’s most of us — a cheaper and stylish alternative is this navy blue pleated maxi dress from H&M, which costs a far more purse-friendly Â£29.99. Unflattering: The Alberta Ferretti maxi dress swamped our model, left, but she looked stunning in this H&M alternative - which, at Â£29.99, is more cost effective 2010-02-04T08:00:42.71By Rupert NeateAutonomy profits jump as it survives 'winter with snowdrops'Currently Not ImplementedAutonomy profits jump as it survives 'winter with snowdrops'By Rupert Neate

Mike Lynch, chief executive, said on Wednesday that sales jumped 53pc in the three months to December 31 in a sign of economic "recovery kicking in".

"We have seen a change in sentiment in the fourth quarter and have started to see people do more discretionary things," Mr Lynch said.

Autonomy, which provides software to more than 20,000 companies that is used to search emails and phone records, said its customers are now also increasing spending in other areas, including website optimisation.

"It's winter with snowdrops," he said. "We are very confident in an upturn [the new products] will do very well." Mr Lynch said its new products, which are designed primarily for airlines and supermarkets, allow companies to update their websites in real-time.

Autonomy reported sales of $223m (£139m) in the three months to the end of December, compared to $145m a year earlier. Pre-tax profit in the period increased by 36pc to $95m

However, Mr Lynch said the company did not sign any large deals in the fourth quarter. He said the blizzards affecting the East Coast of America may have delayed some key contracts in the pipeline.

Over the full year revenue increased by 47pc to $740m.

Paul Morland, analyst at Astaire Securities, said the company was "bang on forecasts" for profits and revenue, but said he was still concerned about the company's ability to turn earnings into cash.

That's what Vicky Botwright expects to do at this year's British National Squash Championships, partly for a natter with friends, but also because there are such an entertaining variety of good women players that you could know all about them and still not be able to pick the winner.

Take Jenny Duncalf. She has beaten the runaway World No 1twice in successionand became the highest world ranked British player, so you might think she is firm favourite for a successful defence of the title.

Favourite yes. But not firm enough for confident predictions. It says much about the size of the leading group that it would no huge surprise if even so excellent a player were denied by any of four others.

The most likely to do that is Alison Waters, who beat the titleholder Duncalf in the final two years ago. But it could also be Laura Massaro, the 2008 runner-up, or Madeline Perry, the British Open runner-up, or even Tania Bailey, another former British National Champion, who is still bravely making her way back after so many setbacks.

It was tempting to see whether Botwright had a feeling who might prevail. But wisely she sidestepped that little minefield, rather memorably expressing instead her regrets about not joining in. “I don't think baby Boswell would be that happy running around so much,” she said.

What the former England No 1 might have said is that Duncalf seems to have made a stride forward recently. A tighter focus and a steelier mindset were integral to her becoming the first person in four years to beat Nicol David twice in a row.

They are qualities which Duncalf may especially need this week; especially as her only previous title defence hit the buffers before the final. Just one woman, Cassie Jackman, has managed a successful defence in the past decade.

There were also moments last year when Waters looked the most dangerous British player, displaying ability to pressure opponents with a volleying of a quality which few possess.

Bailey, though, is one who does. Most unbiased observers hope she has regained the fitness needed to capitalise on this ability, and if she has, she will be a contender.

Perry is almost always that. The courageous Irish woman beat both David and Waters to reach the British Open final five months ago here; returning to the scene of those successes could inspire more.

Massaro is still strengthening her self-belief, as a career-high World No 7 last year indicates. Her recent adoption of one surname, that of sports psychologist Danny Massaro whom she married in 2007 and who has helped her mentally, may have a particular meaning.

Likely then, this handful of front-runners will emerge. And even if Mrs Boswell can't now make it six, she might be around to give her opinion, provided you don't let on, which of the five will prevail.

Tickets can be booked online or by telephone on 0844 870 0000.

2010-02-04T08:00:32.697By David StrahanHow long before the lights go out?Currently Not ImplementedHow long before the lights go out?By David Strahan

Bad news for energy consumers continues to come thick and fast. Bills have more than doubled in the past six years, and could rise a further 25 per cent in the next decade according to a wide-ranging report published yesterday by Ofgem. But even more worrying was the watchdog's analysis of Britain's energy security – or lack of it. Without decisive action, warns Ofgem, there could soon be times when energy is not just expensive but unavailable at any price.

The last time Britain suffered a winter this bitter, the phrase "energy security" meant having a full coal scuttle. Now it's all about natural gas. Forty years ago, few houses had central heating and those that did ran on imported oil. Today, following the North Sea bonanza of the 1970s and 1980s, gas heats almost every home and generates over 40 per cent of our electricity, making Britain the world's fifth largest consumer. Only the US, Canada, Russia and Iran guzzle more.

But these days Britain's gas supply is apparently on thin ice. Until the beginning of this year, National Grid had only once been forced to issue a Gas Balancing Alert – warning the market that supply might not meet demand and urging suppliers to pump harder. Since then it has issued another four.

The first came early in the big freeze, when demand was running 30 per cent higher than a normal January day. A fault at Troll, one of the main Norwegian gas fields, caused imports through the Langeled pipeline to drop sharply and the wholesale gas price to jump from 30p to 60p per therm. Eventually, more gas started to flow and the danger passed, but not before electricity generators had switched from gas to coal-fired power stations, and industrial customers with interruptible supply contracts had been cut off, disrupting businesses around the country.

"The market worked," said a National Grid spokesman, keen to play down the story, "it all sounds more exciting than it really is." But two days later it happened again, as demand hit a record high of 454 million cubic metres (mcm) and the Norwegian supply failed a second time, causing a loss of 70mcm. Almost 100 major industrial customers were cut off, and a quarter were still without supplies the following day, when demand set another record high of 468mcm.

By that weekend Gas Balancing Alerts were beginning to look like Groundhog Day, and the following Monday, yet another was issued when Shell stopped production at Ormen Lange, another big Norwegian field, ironically because of bad weather. "This shows that if there's any stress on the system we're very, very vulnerable," says John Hall, chairman of EnergyQuote, an energy trading company.

None of this would have happened a few years ago, when North Sea production meant Britain was more than self-sufficient in gas. But after a 30-year boom, UK output finally peaked in 2000 and started to fall – slumping more than a third by 2008. In 2004 Britain became a net importer for the first time, and National Grid expects we will have to import three-quarters of our gas by 2015. That makes Britain increasingly vulnerable to any future supply interruptions like those last month, or when Russia next cuts off Ukraine in their long-running dispute over gas prices.

The Government insists energy security is enhanced by having a range of sources of imported gas: pipelines from Belgium, the Netherlands and Norway, along with three new Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals in Wales and Kent, where tankers can deliver from as far afield as Qatar and Trinidad & Tobago.

But having the infrastructure does not guarantee the gas will come to Britain. According to John Hall, countries like France and Germany that have long-term contracts with major suppliers such as Norway are far better placed than Britain, which buy on the open market. "We have the import facilities but we don't have the contracts to safeguard supplies when things go wrong," says Mr Hall. "Britain comes after everyone else as far as Norway is concerned."

Britain's rising import dependency makes it increasingly vital to have substantial amounts of gas in storage to draw down in a crisis, and the Tories jumped on the spate of alerts in the New Year to charge the Government with negligence over the issue. Britain has 4.3 billion cubic metres of storage capacity, which amounts to less than 5 per cent of annual consumption, compared with more than 20 per cent in Germany and almost 25 per cent in France. With British storage already depleted by winter demand, Shadow Environment Secretary Greg Clark said remaining stores would last only eight days at current levels of consumption. In fact, storage levels have fallen far lower during previous crises – down to less than three days' supply last February, which is when Russia last cut off supplies to Ukraine.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband accused the Tories of using meaningless statistics, and in one sense he's right, but not necessarily in a good way. Expressing storage in terms of days' supply overstates the safety margin, because the gas could never be withdrawn that quickly. Three quarters of Britain's gas storage is held at Rough, a depleted gas field off the Yorkshire coast operated by Centrica, where suppliers can deposit gas during the summer when prices are low, and withdraw it for sale in the winter when prices are higher. During the recent alerts, Rough was delivering gas at its maximum rate – 45mcm per day – which represents just 10 per cent of current demand.

The vulnerability of having so much storage in a single field was highlighted three years ago, when a fire at Rough closed the facility for six months. The closure came just two months after an earlier Ukraine crisis and, had the two coincided, the consequences could have been severe. "We were incredibly lucky with the timing," says Professor Jonathan Stern, director of Gas Research at the Oxford Institute of Energy Studies.

The Government acknowledges the need for more gas storage but has so far failed to get any built – although it recently approved the construction of a new facility at Northwich in Cheshire that will expand storage by just 0.25 per cent of annual consumption. A number of commercial proposals exist that would take British storage capacity much nearer to continental levels, but the industry complains bitterly about planning and tax rules, and about the role of the Crown Estate, which owns most of the seabed around Britain. One senior industry insider accuses the estate of demanding extortionate rents that make planned storage projects uneconomic, and wants its remit changed to take account of the country's energy security. "That the government has failed to change the Crown Estate's mandate beggars belief", he says.

Luckily the recent alerts came at a time when the world is awash with gas, the result of new LNG production capacity in the Middle East, new "non-conventional" sources of gas in the US, and the recession, which has depressed demand in Europe by some 10 per cent. The International Energy Agency expects this glut to continue until around 2015, but many analysts predict the market will then tighten sharply. "Around the middle of the decade we expect a perfect storm of falling domestic gas production, economic recovery and tightness in the global LNG market," says Professor Stern, "and we might not get very much warning. It could flip in a matter of weeks."

Britain's vulnerability to interruptions in the gas supply could be worsened by our response to the "energy gap" resulting from the closure of ageing coal and nuclear power stations over the next decade. In total, the closures amount to 20 gigawatts (GW), or one third of peak electricity demand. The Government hopes much of the gap will be filled by renewables, and last month announced the companies that have won the right to build offshore windfarms under its ambitious plans to develop 32GW offshore by 2020. But given the Government's record on renewables, many fear the targets will not be met. If so, the "energy gap" is likely to be filled by new gas-fired power stations.

Figures from New Power, an industry journal, show that 15GW of new gas-fired stations are either under construction or have received planning permission, with a further 15GW in the wings. Editor Dominic Maclaine says "there is a new dash for gas in power generation". That is likely to raise the proportion of electricity generated from gas even further, and increase Britain's vulnerability in the case of supply disruptions. In that case, without a major increase in storage capacity, future gas supply crises could also leave us in the dark.

Yesterday Ofgem finally acknowledged what has been obvious for years: liberalised markets cannot deliver energy security in the era of carbon reduction and competition over dwindling resources. Its recommendations are well made, in particular for a minimum carbon price. The Government must take energy markets by the scruff of the neck – and quickly.

David Strahan is author of 'The Last Oil Shock: A Survival Guide to the Imminent Extinction of Petroleum Man', www.lastoilshock.com